On ESA and confused about UC

Spiny_Norman

I am in the ESA Support Group, and have been for several years. With all the talk about UC being run out at the end of this year, I've tried to find out what it means for me, but can't seem to get any answers.

Although I've been in the ESA Support group since 2009, I appears to be still on contributions-based ESA (this was confirmed last time I was checked out by the CAB). I get around £110 paid fortnightly. AFAIK, UC hasn't been implemented in my area (Nottinghamshire) yet.

What is likely to happen if UC is implemented here this year? Do I have to apply for UC? Will I have to undergo another assessment?(I was told by the doctor who assessed my last that I shouldn't need to undergo another assessment due to my condition, which is incurable).

All in all, I am confused and worried, and stress exacerbates my condition, so things aren't terrific right now.

pmlindyloo

The simple answer.

Contribution based ESA is not part of Universal Credit so will not affect you as long as you remain in the Support Group and on contribution based ESA.

Do you claim any other benefits?

epitome

How much is your Occupational Pension income? Both Gross and the Net amounts?

Do you have savings over £6000?
savings over £16,000 ?

Who if any do you live with?

If you change your circumstances then UC may become an issue for the ESA IR (that you say you don't have),,, but not for your ESA Contributory award, ESA Conts will just remain as it is as long as you stay in Support Group.

gray1404

So people on Income Related ESA and in the Support Group are NOT being moved over to UC for as long as they stay in the Support Group?

I also understand that the DWP will not be reassessing people with severe problems now (e.g. autism etc) so they will stay in the Support Group.

poppy12345

gray1404 wrote: »

So people on Income Related ESA and in the Support Group are NOT being moved over to UC for as long as they stay in the Support Group?

I also understand that the DWP will not be reassessing people with severe problems now (e.g. autism etc) so they will stay in the Support Group.

Untrue for both. Those on Income Related ESA do not need to worry about moving to UC for a least another 3-4 years maybe more.

They haven't decided the criteria for those who won't be re-assessed anymore. Everyone will still be re-assessed until a decision has been made. When that will be, i have no idea.

gray1404

poppy12345 wrote: »

Untrue for both. Those on Income Related ESA do not need to worry about moving to UC for a least another 3-4 years maybe more.

They haven't decided the criteria for those who won't be re-assessed anymore. Everyone will still be re-assessed until a decision has been made. When that will be, i have no idea.

Are you sure about that? I thought I had read online that they were already not calling people who they thought would not need to be reassessd.

If what you are saying is true, they are taking forever to write up the criteria of who will not be reassessed.

Ames

poppy12345 wrote: »

Untrue for both. Those on Income Related ESA do not need to worry about moving to UC for a least another 3-4 years maybe more.

They haven't decided the criteria for those who won't be re-assessed anymore. Everyone will still be re-assessed until a decision has been made. When that will be, i have no idea.

The decision has been made and implemented, though only in the last few weeks.

https://www.disabilityrightsuk.org/news/2017/september/changes-work-capability-assessment-reassessment-criteria

One of the regular experts on here mentioned it on a thread in the disability board last week I think.

gray1404

Ames wrote: »

The decision has been made and implemented, though only in the last few weeks.

https://www.disabilityrightsuk.org/news/2017/september/changes-work-capability-assessment-reassessment-criteria

One of the regular experts on here mentioned it on a thread in the disability board last week I think.

So by the sounds of it:

1. They are still get to publish the list of conditions that are exempt from further reassessment

2. Those in the support group (my family member for example) will still have to go through one more reassessment before they decide if he will be exempt from any further ones.

Interestingly, he has not been called for a reassessment for 4 years now and he has never had a face to face medical. They have always just accepted the ESA50 and a supporting letter from the Consultant Psychiatrist.

On the one occasion when we had a delay filling in the ESA50 I wrote in asking for more time. The Decision Maker phoned me and the first thing she said on the phone was: "We know that he can't work." and was very polite about giving extra time. He has been migrated from Incapacity In Youth and has ADHD, Asperger's Syndrome, Depression, Dyslexia and Dyspraxia. I am really hoping he will not be called for further reassessment (not even another final one) and it is just such a horrific experience.

Ames

I'm not sure that there's going to be a list of conditions as such. The guidelines have been published, there are links here:

https://www.disabilityrightsuk.org/news/2017/october/guidance-work-capability-assessment-reassessment-published

It gives examples of conditions, but says that the list 'is not exhaustive'. It won't be as simple as 'claimant has x condition, they don't need assessing', but nor is it 'only x conditions are exempt'.

epitome

gray1404 wrote: »

So people on Income Related ESA and in the Support Group are NOT being moved over to UC for as long as they stay in the Support Group?

I also understand that the DWP will not be reassessing people with severe problems now (e.g. autism etc) so they will stay in the Support Group.

poppy12345 wrote: »

Untrue for both. Those on Income Related ESA do not need to worry about moving to UC for a least another 3-4 years maybe more.

People on ESA IR Assesment Rate, WRAG or SG (makes no difference) Who have a change of circumstances, that triggers the necessity to claim UC......... will have to claim UC. Changes of circumstance could be
Move in with partner who is already on UC
Move to an area that is Full UC and wants help with housing costs.
there are lots more examples...

Other less formalised examples, appear to me, to be possible but not always treated as a necessity to claim UC.... i.e.
Adding a partner (who is not on UC) to your ESA IR claim.

Strictly speaking, any change can trigger a natural migration to UC, but the DWP are mostly concentrating on the formalised ones.


Indefinate PCA awards are in now, but require an initial WCA decision or if the claimant is already on main phase will require a re-assessment WCA decision.


The formal process of moving all ESA IR claimants onto UC has not started yet. And it is anyone's guess when it will start.... Given the press that UC is getting at the moment, it's not going to be anytime soon.

nannytone_2

gray1404 wrote: »

Are you sure about that? I thought I had read online that they were already not calling people who they thought would not need to be reassessd.

If what you are saying is true, they are taking forever to write up the criteria of who will not be reassessed.

i am blind, and cannot get any less blind, i was reassessed in july